A Lagos High Court in Ikeja on Thursday ordered
that Deji, the second son of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993
presidential election, Chief M.K.O Abiola, be remanded in the custody of
the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The accused was alleged by the anti-graft agency to have defrauded a businessman, Mr. Jide Jose, of about N35.5m.
Deji, who stood in the dock throughout the court proceedings could not be arraigned.
His lawyer, Mr. A.B Kasumu (SAN), objected to his arraignment, arguing that they were just notified of the process.
The EFCC, alleged that Deji collected N35.5m in 2008 from the complainant, Jose, under the pretext of helping him to import printing machines from Switzerland.
According to the EFCC, Deji never supplied the machines to the complainant but converted the money to his personal use.
During Thursday’s proceedings, EFCC lawyer, Mr. Omeiza Adebola, asked the court to compel the accused to take his plea and be properly arraigned.
Adebola further said the matter had been before the court since September 2, 2010, insisting that the charge should be read to the accused person.
Deji’s lawyer said his client had been enjoying administrative bail granted him by the EFCC and had come to court on his own volition.
He pleaded with the court to grant his client sufficient time to consult with his lawyers before taking his plea as guaranteed by the right to fair hearing.
Before adjourning the case, Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo acceded to Kasumu’s request that the accused person be remanded in the custody of the EFCC.
The judge adjourned the matter to June 30 for arraignment.
By Ade Adesomoju Courtesy Of: Punch
The accused was alleged by the anti-graft agency to have defrauded a businessman, Mr. Jide Jose, of about N35.5m.
Deji, who stood in the dock throughout the court proceedings could not be arraigned.
His lawyer, Mr. A.B Kasumu (SAN), objected to his arraignment, arguing that they were just notified of the process.
The EFCC, alleged that Deji collected N35.5m in 2008 from the complainant, Jose, under the pretext of helping him to import printing machines from Switzerland.
According to the EFCC, Deji never supplied the machines to the complainant but converted the money to his personal use.
During Thursday’s proceedings, EFCC lawyer, Mr. Omeiza Adebola, asked the court to compel the accused to take his plea and be properly arraigned.
Adebola further said the matter had been before the court since September 2, 2010, insisting that the charge should be read to the accused person.
Deji’s lawyer said his client had been enjoying administrative bail granted him by the EFCC and had come to court on his own volition.
He pleaded with the court to grant his client sufficient time to consult with his lawyers before taking his plea as guaranteed by the right to fair hearing.
Before adjourning the case, Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo acceded to Kasumu’s request that the accused person be remanded in the custody of the EFCC.
The judge adjourned the matter to June 30 for arraignment.
By Ade Adesomoju Courtesy Of: Punch
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